Main content

The war on drugs

The 'war on drugs' was launched by US President Richard Nixon in 1971. He said drug abuse was a 'national emergency' .

The first 'war on drugs' was launched by US President Richard Nixon in 1971. He described drug abuse as a 'national emergency' and asked Congress for nearly four hundred million dollars to tackle the problem. Claire Bowes spoke to one of Nixon's policy advisors, Jeffrey Donfeld, about an approach to drugs which he describes as more 'find them and help them' than 'find them and lock them up'. And how he convinced the President to roll out a nationwide programme of methadone treatment for heroin addicts.

This programme is a rebroadcast

Photo: US President Richard Nixon (91热爆)

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Tue 1 Jun 2021 02:50GMT
91热爆 World Service

More episodes

Previous

The Tulsa Race Massacre

Next

The killing of Pablo Escobar

See all episodes from Witness History

Broadcasts

  • Mon 31 May 2021 07:50GMT
    91热爆 World Service
  • Mon 31 May 2021 11:50GMT
    91热爆 World Service
  • Mon 31 May 2021 17:50GMT
    91热爆 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
  • Tue 1 Jun 2021 02:50GMT
    91热爆 World Service

Podcast